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Psalm 38:20

They who give evil for good are also adversaries to me, because I follow what is good.

18For I will declare my iniquity. I will be sorry for my sin.
19But my enemies are vigorous and many. Those who hate me without reason are numerous.
20They who give evil for good are also adversaries to me, because I follow what is good.
21Don’t forsake me, LORD. My God, don’t be far from me.
22Hurry to help me, Lord, my salvation.
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← Psalm 38:19Psalm 38:21 →
Notice

Good repaid with evil exposes the painful gap between doing what is right and being treated well, even within a prayer that admits personal sin.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

When, if ever, has doing good brought you opposition rather than goodwill?

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What helps you distinguish opposition to goodness from criticism you need to hear?

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What do you notice about David confessing sin before naming the wrong done to him?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
1 Peter 3:13Now who will harm you if you become imitators of that which is good?Both passages link pursuing good with the question of harm; the psalm names adversaries where Peter asks who will harm.
Psalm 109:4In return for my love, they are my adversaries; but I am in prayer.Both speakers describe becoming the target of adversaries in return for good or love.
Psalm 35:12They reward me evil for good, to the bereaving of my soul.Both psalms name the same wrong, evil repaid for good, with Psalm 35 describing its cost to the soul.
Hebrews 12:14Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord,Both speak of a pursuit: the psalm names what is good, while Hebrews names peace and sanctification.
Proverbs 17:13Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.Both name repaying good with evil; Proverbs adds a warning about evil remaining in the wrongdoer’s house.
Jeremiah 18:20Should evil be recompensed for good? For they have dug a pit for my soul. Remember how I stood before you to speak good for them, to turn away your wrath from …Both describe evil returned for good; Jeremiah specifies that he had spoken to God on behalf of those threatening him.
1 John 3:12unlike Cain, who was of the evil one and killed his brother. Why did he kill him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s righteous.Both connect hostility with another person’s goodness: the psalm names adversaries, and John names Cain killing his righteous brother.
1 Thessalonians 5:15See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good for one another and for all.Both speak of following what is good amid evil; Paul also forbids returning evil for evil.
John 10:32Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?”Both describe hostility in response to good; Jesus names works from his Father while facing stoning.
1 Peter 4:14–16If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your …Both describe hostility connected with faithfulness, though Peter speaks of insults for Christ’s name and the psalm of following good.
1 Timothy 6:11But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.Both speak of following what is good; Timothy receives a fuller description that includes righteousness, love, and gentleness.
1 Samuel 25:21Now David had said, “Surely in vain I have kept all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained to him. He has …Both describe evil returned for good; in Samuel, David names the protection he gave to another man’s possessions.
Where this verse fits

Work conflict. broken friendship. injustice and anger.

What the Bible says about anger →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Write one good action to take despite opposition

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Encouragement

You do not have to call evil good to keep following what is good. David names the wrong and asks the Lord, his salvation, for help.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 38:20. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 38 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).